We are truly enchanted that drummer Guðmundur Oli Palmason did not rest on his laurels after his emotional departure from Sólstafir and let his musical inspiration bubble up, just as the biggest volcano in his home country, named Katla. Right away he leant the name of that volcano for his new project. His new companion on this musical journey happens to be Einar Thorberg Guðmundsson (Fortið, Potentiam). And I can assure you that it’s amazing to enjoy these fluttering, yet powerful sounds with momentum on this debut album ‘Móðurástin’! Actually we can pigeonhole this style in the meantime simply as ‘Icelandic’ and those who are interested will immediately understand that it is all about otherworldly sounds akin to post/rock metal but with a signature approach.

This musical journey begins with ‘Aska’, with sounds that slowly develop and go in crescendo. This instrumental intro also includes melancholic piano and it is slightly psychedelic. In ‘Hyldypi’ we learn that the boyish voice is smooth and sonorous. Later we find out that Einar also goes to rougher areas, but for the time being the vocal lines are rather serene and storytelling. The music has a catchy tempo, but builds up tension in a familiar manner, yet always engrossing. Just like it is the case with some of the Sólstafir songs, ‘Natthagi’ and ‘Hvila’ have a kind of catchiness that give them a robust rock structure, in addition to that soaring timbre. In ‘Hvila’ cello adds a gloomy zest. Then longer songs start to come our way. It is then that the band reaches a higher level of art and comes (almost) on equal terms with its illustrious pre-history. In Iceland people have made more than one song about storm, but ‘Hreggur’ is one that instantly catapults us into another world. Sometimes spatial, now and then undefined mechanical rhythms, calm and captivating, but finally heading towards a marvelous climax. This is real art!

The title track also instantly blows you away. It is soon quite heavy, with conjuring chants and later it really gets sublime due to the contrast between normal vocals and excited screams. And there is even a snippet of female vocals, towards the end even a choir. Our respect keeps on growing, since we are immersed in a solemn speech (reminds me of Ásatru) in ‘Kul’. Piano and bass oriented it is, with influences from classical music. A next Valhalla of enchanting sounds is presented to us in the nearly thirteen minutes long occluding track ‘Dulsmál’. That military voice gives me chills. Murky riffs and passionate vocals lead to atmospheric sounds that create an empyrean feel you cannot get rid of anymore. On one side it is catchy, on the other hand repetitive patterns that end up in ferocious fury. Then we hear harmony chants with a true Viking spirit that remind me of Skálmöld for a moment and finally we have an apotheosis with dark choirs, floating sounds and a solemn conclusion. What a statement this debut appears to be! Words cannot describe this!